Wow. This evening I recalled that I started this blog a few years ago and it has taken me an hour to recover it from the bowels of the internet. A lot has happened in the last three years and I wished I had written down some of the funny anecdotes, stories, tough times and reflections during that time.
One of my good friends rang me last year and wished me happy birthday - I replied with the first thing that came to mind - 'thanks, I just realised that I am closer to death that to being born' which was only an objective assessment of where I am in the timeline of life. My friend who is normally very level headed took this to be a negative comment and was quick to console me. I was ok and thought that I may have spooked him so revised my realisation to - 'I am closer to retirement than the start of my career'.
The truth is I do feel that I am closer to death due to the fact that the average age of an Australian male is 80.5 years which is the the third highest in the world (only behind Iceland (??) and Switzerland). Aussie girls make it to 84.5. My Dad who turns 84 this year is aiming to beat the family record of 89.
My spin on this is that it is now more important than ever to stop and smell the roses and take stock of yourself, the people most important to you and the people that rely on you. I am also reflecting in what little thing that I have done and/or will do that will make the world just slightly better than when I graduated from University and became a tax paying, law abiding, god fearing (not really - that is another blog topic I think!) adult Aussie bloke. I think these realisations are part of me trying to define what contentment means to me. I am fairly certain that contentment is not a new car, overseas holiday or some other personal gratification - although these things are nice I know deep down that they will not provide me with the satisfaction of a life well lived.
I am really thirsty for a focus in this area of my life and believe that the next few years will be a journey into what form this takes and how I go about doing it. Coaching and/or teaching kids, helping under privileged people or even a new business that leaves a legacy for future generations - a wide spread, but all thoughts that I plan to pursue over the coming months. My small steps start 2015 and I look forward to looking back on this blog with pride (and contentment!).
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